Resound: Ancient Bells of China

Musical innovations in the Bronze Age meld with today’s digital technology in this interactive exploration of ancient Chinese bells. 

Thousands of years ago, Chinese musicians worked with foundry technicians to cast matched sets of bronze bells of different sizes to produce a range of tones. They developed oval-shaped bells that, depending on where they were struck, produced two distinct pitches with an intentional interval between them. 

Resounding investigates this advancement, with displays of early instruments and a bell set discovered in a Chinese tomb, videos of ancient bells being played, and chances to compose your own music on bronze bells.

A companion exhibition at the Freer Gallery presents soundscapes created by three composers using the recorded tones of a 2,500-year-old bell set on display. Each is accompanied by a video projection to interpret the composition with moving images that allow us to “see sound.”

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website